3251 Holy Spirit, filling with

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be energised and controlled by the third person of the Godhead in such a way that under the acknowledged lordship of Jesus Christ the full presence and power of God are experienced. Spirit-filling leads to renewal, obedience, boldness in testimony and an arresting quality in believers’lives.

People filled with the Holy Spirit before the ministry of Jesus Christ

In the OTEx 31:3 Bezalel filled with the Spirit for artwork on the tabernacle; Dt 34:9 fn Joshua filled with the Spirit to succeed Moses

In the events surrounding the birth of John the BaptistLk 1:15 John the Baptist filled with the Spirit from birth; Lk 1:41 Elizabeth filled with the Spirit and speaks words of praise; Lk 1:67 Zechariah prophesies about the life of John and God’s salvation

Jesus Christ is full of the Holy Spirit

NT terminology

Ac 1:5; Ac 2:4; Ac 10:47While these terms are virtually synonymous when used of initial experiences of the Spirit, “filled” is also used to designate subsequent experiences and renewings of the same divine power, while the other terms are not.

“Be filled with the Spirit”: an apostolic commandEph 5:18The present tense of the verb implies the need to be regularly filled and re-filled with the Spirit.

Dictionary of Bible Themes Scripture index copyright Martin H. Manser, 2009. As Editor, Martin Manser wishes to thank all those who compiled or edited the NIV Thematic Study Bible, on which this work is based.

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